Ep 5. Shaking the Tree

Howard Silk, a low-level bureaucrat at the United Nations in a parallel dimension, is caught up in a world of espionage and intrigue when he discovers that his universe is one among many alternate dimensions, each different from the other. In season 1 episode 5, "Shaking the Tree," Howard comes closer to uncovering the truth about the mysterious bureau where his double works. While on a mission to a warehouse, Howard gets a glimpse of the facility's true purpose and is subsequently pulled into a dangerous mission to bring down those in charge. Meanwhile, Howard Prime struggles to adjust to his new life as Howard Silk and navigates the treacherous waters of his relationships with his wife and daughter. As the two Howards come closer to crossing paths, the tension builds and the stakes are raised.

The episode begins with Howard Prime (J.K. Simmons) continuing to struggle with his new life as Howard Silk while his wife Emily (Olivia Williams) tries to help him adjust. Meanwhile, Howard Silk (also played by J.K. Simmons) is on a mission with Peter Quayle (Harry Lloyd) to a warehouse where they believe an item of interest is being stored. While there, Howard gets a glimpse of the true purpose of the facility and realizes that his current mission is just a smokescreen for the real work being done.

As Howard Silk continues to investigate the facility, he becomes more entrenched in the dangerous world of espionage and begins to uncover some startling truths about his own government. With the help of an unlikely ally, Howard sets out on a mission to take down those in charge of the bureau and put an end to their nefarious agenda.

Meanwhile, Howard Prime struggles with his own relationships as he tries to reconnect with his wife and daughter. Despite his efforts, Emily is still wary of him and their daughter Anna (Sarah Bolger) is resentful of his absence from her life. As Howard Prime tries to navigate these complicated waters, he finds himself drawn back into the world of espionage when he is approached by a former colleague with a job offer.

As the episode progresses, the tension between the two Howards continues to build and their paths slowly begin to converge. With both men dealing with their own set of challenges, the stakes are raised and the danger becomes more real than ever before. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as the two Howards come closer to crossing paths and the truth about the bureau begins to unravel.

Overall, "Shaking the Tree" is an action-packed episode that does a great job of advancing the plot and building tension. With excellent performances from J.K. Simmons and the rest of the cast, the episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they wait to see what happens next. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, spy thrillers, or just great television, "Shaking the Tree" is an episode that shouldn't be missed.